Warriors Champions Reunite in South Beach: Klay Thompson Joins Heat, Reunites with Wiggins

　　Staff Reporter Du Yijun / Comprehensive Report

　　The former Golden State Warriors championship wing duo—Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson—who fought side by side and lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy together, are set to reunite in the 2026-27 season with the Miami Heat. After Thompson reached a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks and moved to South Beach, the former Bay Area teammates look to inject their championship DNA into the Heat, writing a new chapter in their careers in Miami.

　　Thompson, the 36-year-old former elite sharpshooter, agreed to a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks in August this year and subsequently signed a two-year, $11.4 million contract with the Heat. Wiggins, the Heat forward, expressed high expectations and palpable excitement through the team's official social media platform regarding the addition of his former championship teammate.

　　"He's one of the most competitive players I've ever played with. Having him join our team is amazing!" Wiggins said. "Klay will bring joy to the locker room, and on the court, everyone knows what he can do. It's a pleasure to have him. He's unique and brings a 'championship mindset' to the team. We have a chance to do something special this year, and he will definitely be a key piece of the puzzle."

　　Thompson, who spent over a decade with the Warriors and was a five-time All-Star, signed a multi-year contract with the Mavericks before the 2024-25 season. However, Dallas missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, prompting him to seek a buyout and move elsewhere.

　　Last season in Dallas, he averaged 12.9 points per game while maintaining a 38.7% three-point shooting percentage. Now joining the highly competitive Heat, expectations are high that he can revitalize his career and challenge for another championship.

　　As for Wiggins, a 12-year NBA veteran who spent six seasons with the Warriors, he was sent to the Heat in a five-team trade during the 2024-25 season. Over the past two seasons, Wiggins has played 85 games for the Heat, averaging a steady 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season, making him an indispensable force on the Heat's frontline.

　　Based on current contracts, Wiggins and Thompson will play together for the Heat for the next two seasons. The duo, who once lifted the trophy in Golden State, will now fully support the Heat's current superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, aiming to lead the South Beach squad to a new look in the upcoming season and challenge for a return to championship glory.